Gateshead Co-operative Stores

Blaydon Co-operative Society first commenced in 1858 with 38 members. The first store, which stood in Cuthbert St was 2nd in Co-operative Union in the country. The ethic of the Cooperative Societies was to trade by a few basic simple rules for the benefit of members. Every member must buy shares (often one shilling each), be issued with a share Number. All goods would be retailed at a fair market price, and profits returned to the society for expansion, and to members in dividend related to the amount purchased, so much in the pound, say 2s. Each society formed would have its own trading name, its own shop premises to be called a 'store', and elected committees to manage it all.

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Title: Co-operative Store, Durham Road, Birtley

Date: C.1900Reference Number: GL000618

As supermarket chains have extended, the Co-operative societies have become less important, but once the Co-op was the most important store in every Northern village and town. Those using the stores became members of the society, and these members were paid a dividend. Even now most older women will remember either their own or their mother's dividend number, as it was important to give this to staff on every visit to the store.

The Birtley Co-operative Society began 1861, and had premises first in Mount Pleasant, then in Durham Road, then from 1885 in large premises at Harras Bank. There was a disastrous fire at this store on Christmas morning 1900, and the store eventually re-opened in new permanent premises on Durham Road.

Item Description: This photograph shows the Co-operative store on Jackson Street. The ethic of the Cooperative Societies was to trade by a few basic simple rules for the benefit of members. Every member must buy shares (often one shilling each) and be issued with a share number. All goods would be retailed at a fair market price, and profits returned to the society for expansion, and to members in dividend related to the amount purchased, so much in the pound, say 2s. Each society formed would have its own trading name, its own shop premises to be called a 'store', and elected committees to manage it all.

Photographer: UnknownDate: December 1962Reference Number: GL001591Item Description: Until the late seventeenth century, this street was known as Colliers Chare. It was possibly named after Henry Jackson, estate steward to the Gerard family. This photograph shows the Co-operative store on Jackson Street.